RAMALLAH // Palestinians yesterday welcomed news of a visit by US president Barack Obama to the region this spring, but cautioned that any breakthrough in the peace process hinged on Israel.
The White House has confirmed Mr Obama will makes stops in Israel, the West Bank and Jordan during his regional tour, although it did not disclose details.
Mr Obama's first foray to Israel as president has raised expectations of renewed US-led peacemaking efforts after a resumption of Israeli-Palestinian talks during his first term collapsed three weeks after they started in 2010.
The Palestinians say they will not resume negotiations while Israel continues to build Jewish settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, land that the Palestinians hope will be part of their future state.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) said yesterday that they were hoping that Mr Obama's trip signalled a US policy shift in the region.
"We hope that President Obama's visit to the region is the beginning of a new US policy that will lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the Palestinian lands occupied since 1967, in accordance with the international resolutions," said Nabil Abu Rudeina, spokesman for the PA president Mahmoud Abbas.
Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation's executive committee, welcomed the visit if it were "based on the right approach, not on more of the same. We lost four years of inaction and allowing Israel to pursue unilateralism and settlements to the point of reaching the edge of the abyss".
Mrs Ashrawi said Palestinians "see the US as complicit in allowing the Israelis to go as far as they have" in constructing settlements.
Dan Shapiro, the US ambassador to Israel, yesterday told Israel's army radio that the president was bringing an "urgent" agenda for peace and other pressing issues in the region, including Iran and turmoil in Syria.
Jay Carney, a White House spokesman, on Tuesday described Mr Obama's visit as reaffirming the "enduring bonds between the United States and Israel".
The Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has irked the White House by championing settlements and backing Mr Obama's challenger, Mitt Romney, in last year's presidential race.
His right-wing party lost seats in the Knesset in last month's parliamentary elections, possibly opening a door for a more peace-minded coalition.
Mr Netanyahu's office described Mr Obama's visit as an opportunity "to underscore the friendship and strong partnership between Israel and the United States".
An emphasis on repairing US-Israeli ties suggests that Palestinian issues would be a secondary concern, said a member of the Fatah faction that Mr Abbas leads.
"None of us are expecting a change to the status quo," said the Fatah member. Low expectations of an end to Israel's occupation and a worsening financial crisis in the PA, he added, have instead encouraged Mr Abbas to turn to reconciliation with rival Palestinians in Hamas - considered a terrorist group by the US and Israel - and engaging multilateral organisations for diplomatic backing.
hnaylor@thenational.ae
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The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
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Rating: 2.5/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
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Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
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Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
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A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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5pm: Watha Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Dalil De Carrere, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Mohamed Daggash (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Miracle Maker, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Pharitz Al Denari, Bernardo Pinheiro, Mahmood Hussain
6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
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7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: ES Nahawand, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: AF Almajhaz, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi
8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: AF Lewaa, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qaiss Aboud.